Pranav Nair
Manchester United were keen on Edinson Cavani as far back as 2014
Manchester United were mocked for signing a 33-year-old Edinson Cavani on deadline day last summer.
The Veteran Uruguayan has since silenced his detractors and has emerged as out best striker this season. Given the drop off that Anthony Martial has suffered, Cavani has stepped up and made his presence count.
Cavani has since made 21 apearances for the Red Devils, scoring six goals and assisting two more. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Had things worked out differently, he could have spent the prime of his career at United. According to The Express, former boss Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to bring the Uruguayan to Old Trafford and attempted to make it happen in 2014.
With his successor David Moyes fighting for his job, Ferguson attempted to help him out by calling up then PSG boss Laurent Blanc to enquire about Cavani.
Having joined the Parisians just a year ago, Cavani had been forced out to accommodate the mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The striker, however, stayed put and went on to become the club’s all-time top goalscorer. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Had the deal gone through, Moyes could have called upon a striker entering his prime rather than a misfiring Robin van Persie or an ageing Wayne Rooney.
Whether it would have helped him keep his job is debatable. But United at the very least would have had a dependable frontman set to lead the line for the decade.
The deal may also have seen us not pursue Romelu Lukaku and Radamel Falcao (on loan) down the line.
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The move for Cavani has paid off immensely and could prove pivotal come the end of the season. His ability to step up in big moments could be the requirement to take United over the line.
